Ultimate 40 Idioms for Excitement You’ll Love to Use in 2025

Excitement! It’s that buzz of anticipation, the thrill of a new adventure, the pure joy that makes you feel alive. But how do you put that electric feeling into words? That’s where the fun of idioms comes in. An idiom is a common phrase with a figurative meaning that isn’t obvious from the literal words. They are the secret spice of language that adds personality and color.

When you’re “on the edge of your seat,” you’re not about to fall off your chair you’re just incredibly excited! In art and creative writing, idioms are perfect for showing, not just telling, how a character feels. This article will explore 40 electrifying idioms about excitement to help your vocabulary thrill and delight.

Table of Contents

Why We Use Idioms in Art and Language

Idioms are the personality of a language, adding character, wit, and a sense of shared culture to our conversations. In art and literature, they are a powerful shorthand for complex emotions. Describing a character as having “butterflies in their stomach” instantly conveys a feeling of nervous excitement, creating a more vivid picture than simply saying “they were nervous.”

These expressions make dialogue feel authentic and descriptions more imaginative, creating an instant connection with the audience and bringing emotions to life.

Related: Idioms About the Ocean

Idioms for Excitement

Here is a list of idioms to help you express every kind of thrill, from nervous anticipation to pure joy.

Anticipation and Eagerness

1. On the Edge of Your Seat

Meaning: To be in a state of intense suspense and anticipation, eagerly waiting to know what will happen next.
Usage Example: “The end of the movie was so thrilling; we were all on the edge of our seats.”
This idiom creates a physical image of someone leaning forward in their chair, completely captivated by an event.

2. With Bated Breath

Meaning: In a state of anxious or excited suspense.
Usage Example: “The crowd waited with bated breath for the winner’s name to be announced.”
“Bated” is an old word for “reduced” or “held,” so this literally means to wait while holding your breath in anticipation.

3. Champing at the Bit

Meaning: To be very impatient and eager to start doing something.
Usage Example: “The runners were champing at the bit, waiting for the starting gun to fire.”
This idiom comes from horse racing, where an eager horse will chew on its metal bit while waiting in the starting gate.

4. Raring to Go

Meaning: To be very enthusiastic and eager to start an activity.
Usage Example: “After a good night’s sleep, the hikers were up early and raring to go.”
This phrase likely comes from the way a horse might “rear up” in its eagerness to get moving.

5. Licking One’s Lips

Meaning: To show eager anticipation for something pleasant.
Usage Example: “He was licking his lips at the thought of the delicious meal to come.”
This is a very visual idiom that represents a literal and figurative hunger for something.

6. Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed

Meaning: To be alert, full of energy, and ready for the day.
Usage Example: “She arrived at the meeting bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to share her new ideas.”
This idiom compares a person’s energetic state to that of a healthy, alert squirrel.

7. Can’t Wait

Meaning: To be very excited and eager for something to happen.
Usage Example: “I can’t wait for the concert this weekend; it’s going to be amazing!”
This is one of the most common and straightforward idioms for expressing excited anticipation.

High Energy and Enthusiasm

8. Fired Up

Meaning: To be very angry or, more commonly, very excited and enthusiastic.
Usage Example: “The coach’s speech got the team all fired up before the big game.”
This idiom compares a person’s emotional state to a fire that is burning brightly and with great energy.

9. Bouncing Off the Walls

Meaning: To be so full of energy and excitement that you cannot keep still.
Usage Example: “The children were bouncing off the walls on Christmas morning, waiting to open their presents.”
This is a humorous exaggeration used to describe a state of hyperactive excitement.

10. Full of Beans

Meaning: To be very lively, energetic, and in high spirits.
Usage Example: “Even after the long walk, the puppy was still full of beans.”
This idiom is thought to come from the energy horses would get from eating beans.

11. A Bundle of Energy

Meaning: A very energetic and lively person.
Usage Example: “My toddler is a bundle of energy from the moment he wakes up until he goes to sleep.”
This phrase creates a mental image of so much energy it’s practically bundled up.

12. Firing on All Cylinders

Meaning: To be working or functioning at the peak of one’s ability and with great energy.
Usage Example: “After a strong cup of coffee, her brain was firing on all cylinders.”
This idiom comes from the world of engines, where an engine running on all its cylinders is at maximum power.

13. In Full Swing

Meaning: For an event or activity to be at its busiest or most lively point.
Usage Example: “We arrived a bit late, and the party was already in full swing.”
This idiom suggests a high level of energy and activity.

14. To Come Alive

Meaning: To become suddenly energetic, lively, and engaged.
Usage Example: “He was quiet all evening, but he really came alive when the band started playing his favorite song.”
This phrase is used to describe a noticeable shift to a more energetic and excited state.

Physical Sensations of Excitement

15. To Have Butterflies in Your Stomach

Meaning: To have a nervous, fluttering feeling in your stomach, usually from a mix of excitement and anxiety.
Usage Example: “She always gets butterflies in her stomach before she performs on stage.”
This is a very common idiom for the physical sensation of nervous anticipation.

16. To Have Ants in Your Pants

Meaning: To be restless and unable to keep still because of excitement or nervousness.
Usage Example: “The kids have ants in their pants today because they know we’re going to the amusement park.”
This humorous idiom vividly describes a state of fidgety, hyperactive excitement.

17. To Be on Pins and Needles

Meaning: To be in a state of anxious suspense, waiting for something to happen.
Usage Example: “I was on pins and needles all day waiting for the results of my job interview.”
This idiom refers to the tingling, prickling sensation in a limb that is “falling asleep.”

18. A Shot in the Arm

Meaning: Something that provides a sudden boost of energy, encouragement, or renewed enthusiasm.
Usage Example: “The new investment was a real shot in the arm for the struggling company.”
This idiom compares a positive event to a stimulating medical injection.

19. My Heart Skipped a Beat

Meaning: To have a sudden feeling of excitement, surprise, or fright.
Usage Example: “My heart skipped a beat when I saw him walking towards me.”
This idiom describes the physical sensation of a heart palpitation caused by strong emotion.

20. Goosebumps

Meaning: Small bumps on the skin caused by cold, fear, or a sudden feeling of excitement.
Usage Example: “Listening to the powerful music gave me goosebumps.”
This idiom is a direct description of a physical reaction (piloerection) to a strong emotional stimulus.

Extreme Happiness and Joy

21. On Cloud Nine

Meaning: To be in a state of perfect happiness; to be blissfully happy.
Usage Example: “He’s been on cloud nine ever since she agreed to marry him.”
The origin is debated, but it’s part of a family of “heavenly” idioms for happiness.

22. Over the Moon

Meaning: To be extremely happy and delighted.
Usage Example: “The team was over the moon when they won the championship.”
This popular idiom suggests a joy so great it could send you into outer space.

23. On Top of the World

Meaning: To feel extremely happy and successful.
Usage Example: “After getting the promotion she had worked so hard for, she felt on top of the world.”
This phrase creates a mental image of standing on top of a globe with a sense of triumph.

24. Walking on Air

Meaning: To feel extremely happy and excited, as if you are floating.
Usage Example: “She’s been walking on air since she got the lead role in the school play.”
This idiom perfectly captures the light, weightless feeling that can accompany great joy.

25. In Seventh Heaven

Meaning: To be in a state of absolute bliss and happiness.
Usage Example: “Surrounded by all her new grandchildren, she was in seventh heaven.”
This phrase comes from religious traditions, particularly Judaism and Islam, where the seventh heaven is the highest and most holy place.

26. Thrilled to Bits

Meaning: To be extremely pleased and excited.
Usage Example: “She was thrilled to bits with the surprise party her friends threw for her.”
This is a very common British idiom that emphasizes a high level of excitement.

27. To Jump for Joy

Meaning: To be so happy that you literally jump up and down.
Usage Example: “He jumped for joy when he saw his exam results were the best in the class.”
This idiom describes a physical and uncontainable expression of sudden, intense happiness.

28. To Make a Splash

Meaning: To attract a lot of attention and generate excitement upon your first appearance or with a new project.
Usage Example: “The new author made a big splash with her debut novel, which sold a million copies in the first month.”
This idiom creates a vivid image of someone jumping into a pool and making a large, attention-grabbing splash.

29. To Get the Ball Rolling

Meaning: To start a process or activity to get it underway.
Usage Example: “Let’s get the ball rolling on this project with a brainstorming session.”
This idiom is often used to initiate an event or meeting with a sense of forward momentum.

30. To Kick Things Off

Meaning: To begin an event, often with an exciting or special first action.
Usage Example: “The festival will kick things off with a parade through the center of town.”
This is an energetic and informal way to say “to begin” or “to start.”

31. To Be on a Roll

Meaning: To be experiencing a prolonged period of success, luck, or high performance.
Usage Example: “She’s won five games in a row; she’s really on a roll today!”
This phrase suggests a continuous and seemingly unstoppable momentum.

32. A Thrill a Minute

Meaning: A sarcastic phrase used to describe a situation that is actually very boring.
Usage Example: “Watching my uncle’s three-hour slideshow of his vacation was a real thrill a minute.”
This idiom is used ironically; the literal meaning is the opposite of the intended meaning.

33. Hold Your Horses

Meaning: To wait, be patient, and slow down your excitement.
Usage Example: “Hold your horses! The store doesn’t open for another ten minutes.”
This is an informal command used to tell someone not to be so impatient or to act too quickly.

34. To Be Chomping at the Bit

Meaning: To be very eager and impatient to start doing something.
Usage Example: “The kids were chomping at the bit to open their presents on Christmas morning.”
This is a common variation of “champing at the bit,” with the same origin from impatient horses chewing their metal bits.

35. Your Heart is in Your Mouth

Meaning: To feel extremely nervous, frightened, or intensely excited.
Usage Example: “My heart was in my mouth as I watched the tightrope walker cross between the two skyscrapers.”
This idiom describes the strong physical sensation of your heart pounding in your chest due to intense emotion.

36. To Make Your Head Spin

Meaning: To be so excited, confused, or overwhelmed by new information or experiences that you feel dizzy.
Usage Example: “The tour of the bustling city was enough to make your head spin, with so many new sights and sounds.”
This phrase captures the dizzying feeling of being overwhelmed by a lot of stimulation.

37. To Give You a Buzz

Meaning: To give you a feeling of excitement, pleasure, or slight intoxication.
Usage Example: “Performing on stage in front of a live audience always gives me a buzz.”
This informal idiom is often used to describe the pleasant, energetic feeling from caffeine, sugar, or a thrilling activity.

38. To Paint the Town Red

Meaning: To go out and celebrate in a wild, lively, and exciting way.
Usage Example: “After they graduated, they went out to paint the town red.”
This idiom evokes an image of a boisterous and colorful celebration.

39. To Itch for a Fight

Meaning: To be very eager to start an argument or a competition.
Usage Example: “After the referee made the bad call, the players were itching for a fight.”
This idiom describes a state of restless, aggressive excitement and anticipation for conflict.

40. To Be on Fire

Meaning: To be performing exceptionally well, with great energy and success.
Usage Example: “The basketball player scored 30 points in the first half; she was completely on fire!”
This slang term is very common in sports and performance contexts to describe someone at their absolute peak.

Practice Your New Vocabulary

Ready to get fired up about idioms? 🔥 Fill in the blanks with the best phrase from the list.

Fill in the Blanks

The last five minutes of the basketball game were so intense; I was ________________.
I always get ________________ before a first date.
The children are so excited for their vacation that they have ________________.
He was ________________ when his favorite team won the World Cup.
After two cups of coffee, she was ________________ and ready to start the project.
The party won’t start for an hour, but my little brother is already ________________.
She’s been ________________ ever since she got engaged.
The news that our team had made the finals was a real ________________.
He was so excited about the trip that he was ________________ all morning.
The concert was amazing; the band’s performance gave me ________________.

Answers

on the edge of my seat
butterflies in my stomach
ants in their pants
over the moon
fired up
raring to go
walking on air
shot in the arm
bouncing off the walls
goosebumps

Conclusion

Idioms for excitement are the sparks that light up our language. They allow us to share our most energetic and joyful moments in a way that is vivid, creative, and instantly relatable. By using these dynamic expressions, you can turn a simple statement into a vibrant story, connecting with others through the shared thrill of a well-chosen phrase.

We encourage you to use this list to add more energy and enthusiasm to your own conversations and writing. If you were thrilled by this collection, continue to explore our other articles on figurative language and let your vocabulary soar!